Google Unveils Major Gmail Update To Curb Spam
Bulk message senders will have to offer a one-click unsubscribe button along with their messages.
- Google has updated Gmail with several security measures to combat spam and associated cyber threats.
- The new update will help users to easily unsubscribe from bulk mail senders while minimizing security loopholes in the platform that malicious actors commonly use.
Google is rolling out new security measures that aim to cut down spam, support account security, and minimize unwanted subscriptions for users. The measures will be aimed specifically at bulk message senders from February 2024 onwards.
According to Google’s blog post, emailers who send more than 5,000 messages a day to Gmail users will have to meet a few requirements. These include mandatorily offering a single-click unsubscribe button in the messages, authentication of the sender’s email address, and system configurations to create a proof of domain, minimizing the chances of spoofing IP addresses.
In addition, Google has stated that it might not deliver messages of senders whose emails are frequently marked as spam by their recipients, with a threshold rate of 0.3% according to Google’s Postmaster Tool. In addition, if a Gmail user chooses to unsubscribe, the sender will have only two days to comply. Through these changes, the company hopes to minimize the clogging of inboxes with spam messages.
See More: Apple Shuts Down Human Support on X, Opts for Automated Alternative
The upgrade to Gmail is driven by a rising conflict between spammers and tech companies pushing to minimize the use of such open systems to send fraudulent emails that create an unconducive user environment. While machine learning has been a popular approach to controlling spammers, malicious actors continue to find increasingly sophisticated methods to circumvent security measures.
The movement to clear spam was initiated last year when Google made it mandatory for emails sent to Gmail addresses to be authenticated, reducing spam by approximately 75%. Other major tech companies like Yahoo and Microsoft have also initiated similar processes.
While the measures are aimed at fraudulent spammers, the update will also likely impact real marketing materials, with businesses seeking to promote their products and services aggressively.
What do you think about Gmail’s latest update? Let us know your thoughts on LinkedIn, X, or Facebook. We’d love to hear from you!
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